1. 1.

How to Write a Good Survey Paper A survey

paper classify existing different approaches to the
problem, using a well set of classification criteria.
The main idea behind the survey papers is to build
a framework of a research topic based on existing
literature. Survey paper does not publish new
research. Surveying research papers generally
mean to collect data and results from other
research papers. As per the ACM Computing
Surveys Editorial Charter “A survey article
assumes a general knowledge of the area; it
emphasizes the classification of the existing
literature, developing a perspective on the area,
and evaluating trends”1 . A good survey paper
exposes research topic that needs more research
focus. A survey paper mainly compile the
information that is currently known about the
topic. It provides basic knowledge to new
researchers. It also qualitatively and
quantitatively validates information to
researchers. Selecting a topic for survey is a
challenging task. To make a good survey topic,
author should satisfy the following requirements:
1. It is an emerging field and popularity of the field
will grow (over time). 2. Papers with new
algorithms/approaches does exist. 3. A survey
paper does not exist on the survey topic. Author
can start with reading general topics before
moving to pick-up relevant topic. It is advisable
that author should read 20 to 40 (at least) well
written papers before start writing a good survey
paper. Citation count and locality principle for
papers could be a good idea to select good
papers. Before writing, author must develop good
understanding of the field. Author must completely
be aware of the main research themes, trends,
challenges/issues, and results of that field. The
author must add his/her research experiences
related to this research topic (if possible). The
author must produce the essence of the topic in a
legitimate way. To differentiate between
approaches, author must present each approach
using same template and same type of figures (for
easier understanding). It is recommended to have
examples, classification, figures, summery or
tables to provide readers a good overview of the
topic. Author should explain example and its
potentials using his/her understanding of the field.
An example can be explained in detailed by using
seven Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why, for
Whom, hoW). To classify available
approaches/methodologies author must decide
what should be the main criteria. It is always
recommended to find the reason that why this
classification criteria is a contribution to the
knowledge domain. It is desirable to present
classifications with examples. Figures must be
clear and self-explanatory. e.g, figures can be
used to explain examples in pictorial format or to
present an algorithm in pseudo-code format.
Research methodology/strategy must be included
to analyze hybrid approaches. It is also desirable
 that author should discuss plausible solutions of
the existing challenges. Information flow in the
paper must be well connected which will help to
flourish the essence of the paper. In other way, it
will increase the visibility of the paper. Before
submitting to the journal, it must be reviewed by
other peers. Lastly, a good survey paper must
adhere the below structure: 1. Introduction to the
topic
2. 2. 2. Program statement (how to classify and how
to survey) 3. Classification 4. Characteristics of
classes 5. Presentation of classes 6. Pros and
cons 7. Predicted/Emerging trends 8. Conclusion
9. Acknowledgement 10. References Written By:
Somnath Mazumdar Dept. of Information
Engineering and Mathematics, University of Siena,
Italy Reference: 1. http://csur.acm.org/charter.html
2. http://home.etf.rs/~vm/ This work is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License.

22
The point of a survey paper of the type you are
discussion (as distinct from a systematic review), is to
provide an organized view of the current state of the
field. As such, you should not be attempting to cite
every paper, but only the ones that are significant
(which will still be an awful lot).
Writing a good survey paper is hard, and there really
aren't any good shortcuts: you do need to become
familiar with the content of a very large number of
papers, in order to make sure that the view you are
presenting is sane.
My suggestion, based on my own experience in this
area, is to use the following iterative process:
1. Begin by collecting a large pile of papers to survey.
2. Based on your experience and a few initial
readings, hypothesize an organization schema for
the field.
3. Start reading (mostly skimming) and organizing
your collection of papers you read using this
schema, including noting which ones are most
important and which do not fit the schema well.
4. As you find significant numbers of papers that do
not fit the schema well, adjust the schema to better
fit what you are actually finding and shift the
organization of your collection to match.
5. Add new papers to the "to be read" collection
based on the adjusted schema, then return to
reading and organizing.
When the process converges to a stable schema and an
empty to-be-read pile, you will have a well-developed
view of the current state of the field and be in a good
position to write a survey. Note, however, that this may
take a number of months...
 Set the scope Each research field is evolving
(some at a faster rate) and hence you need to
define the scope of your paper. Scoping has to be
done not only for the topics/dimensions to be
 covered in the paper but also for the time duration
in which relevant papers are published that you will
explore. The first part of the scoping can be done
by defining research questions concretely.
 Search protocol Define the literature search
protocol early, document it, and follow it rigorously.
Number of papers may reduce if you apply well-
defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
 Take notes Read all relevant papers and
document relevant notes. If possible, classify each
relevant paper according to your research
questions.
 Infer, classify, and synthesize This is the most
important step of writing a survey paper. IMHO, a
survey should not produce a laundry list of papers
for a specific dimension. Information in the
synthesized form is much more appreciated than
simply listing main contributions of the papers. For
example: if a concept has been defined by 20
different authors, infer main characteristics of the
concept commonly appeared in these definitions,
and report them (obviously, cite relevant authors
with each identified characteristic).
 Take away/implications Compile implications of
your inferences/synthesis.
 Open research questions Include open research
questions of the research domain - not (only) what
you believe but also more importantly what the
research community believe in general.